Why did Francis Scott Key write the Star Spangled Banner?
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was penned by Francis Scott Key, a 19th-century lawyer who dabbled in poetry. Inspired by the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, Keys was so moved at the American resilience he saw that he couldn’t wait to write the lyrics — and scribbled them on the back side of a letter.
What event inspired the Star Spangled Banner?
The national song of the United States, as well as the flag that inspired it, are both products of the War of 1812. In September 1814, British soldiers assembled to invade Baltimore. After a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry, they were unable to breach Baltimore's fortifications and were forced to withdraw.
Why did the Star Spangled Banner become your national anthem?
“The Star-Spangled Banner” became popular throughout the United States after the War of 1812 thanks to a surge of patriotism and the fact that the lyrics were printed in newspapers across the country.
What battle inspired the Star Spangled Banner?
Quick Facts about the Star-Spangled Banner Flag
- Made in Baltimore, Maryland, in July-August 1813 by flagmaker Mary Pickersgill
- Commissioned by Major George Armistead, commander of Fort McHenry
- Original size: 30 feet by 42 feet
- Current size: 30 feet by 34 feet
- Fifteen stars and fifteen stripes (one star has been cut out)
Why did he wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” as a joyous poem after he was relieved that the United States had preserved against British attack. Since then it has evolved into the national anthem for the United States and is played at official events, schools, and sporting events.
Is The Star-Spangled Banner about the flag?
Addthis Share Tools. The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Is kneeling for the national anthem disrespectful?
Kaepernick has said on numerous occasions that the sole purpose of kneeling during the national anthem is not to disrespect the military personnel at all, but rather that his goal is to use his social platform to bring topics regarding police brutality and oppression of people of color to light.
What does the US flag represent?
The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
Who introduced the Star Spangled Banner?
On April 10, 1918, John Charles Linthicum, U.S. congressman from Maryland, introduced a bill to officially recognize "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem. The bill did not pass. On April 15, 1929, Linthicum introduced the bill again, his sixth time doing so.
Where was the Star Spangled Banner first sung?
Commemorative plaque in Washington, D.C. marking the site at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue where "The Star-Spangled Banner" was first publicly sung. One of two surviving copies of the 1814 broadside printing of the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem that later became the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States.
Why did Colin Kaepernick kneel during the national anthem?
Protests against police brutality and racism by kneeling on one knee during the national anthem began in the National Football League after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt during the anthem, as opposed to the tradition of standing, in response to police brutality in the United States, before his team's third preseason game of 2016. Kaepernick sat during the first two preseason games, but he went unnoticed. In particular, protests focus on the discussion of slavery in the third verse of the anthem, in which the song condemns slaves that had joined the British in an effort to earn their freedom. Since Kaepernick's protest, other athletes have joined in the protests. In the 2017 season, after President Donald Trump 's condemnation of the kneeling, which included saying players need to be fired and calling them sons of bitches, many NFL players protested during the national anthem that week. After the police-involved killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, when the 2020–21 NBA season resumed play in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of players and coaches kneeled during the national anthem through the end of the season.
What is the national anthem of the United States?
help. " The Star-Spangled Banner " is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the " Defence of Fort M'Henry ", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during ...
When was the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner?
The 200th anniversary of the "Star-Spangled Banner" occurred in 2014 with various special events occurring throughout the United States. A particularly significant celebration occurred during the week of September 10–16 in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Highlights included playing of a new arrangement of the anthem arranged by John Williams and participation of President Barack Obama on Defender's Day, September 12, 2014, at Fort McHenry. In addition, the anthem bicentennial included a youth music celebration including the presentation of the National Anthem Bicentennial Youth Challenge winning composition written by Noah Altshuler.
When was the national anthem first recognized?
When the U.S. national anthem was first recognized by law in 1931, there was no prescription as to behavior during its playing. On June 22, 1942, the law was revised indicating that those in uniform should salute during its playing, while others should simply stand at attention, men removing their hats. The same code also required that women should place their hands over their hearts when the flag is displayed during the playing of the national anthem, but not if the flag was not present. On December 23, 1942, the law was again revised instructing men and women to stand at attention and face in the direction of the music when it was played. That revision also directed men and women to place their hands over their hearts only if the flag was displayed. Those in uniform were required to salute. On July 7, 1976, the law was simplified. Men and women were instructed to stand with their hands over their hearts, men removing their hats, irrespective of whether or not the flag was displayed and those in uniform saluting. On August 12, 1998, the law was rewritten keeping the same instructions, but differentiating between "those in uniform" and "members of the Armed Forces and veterans" who were both instructed to salute during the playing whether or not the flag was displayed. Because of the changes in law over the years and confusion between instructions for the Pledge of Allegiance versus the National Anthem, throughout most of the 20th century many people simply stood at attention or with their hands folded in front of them during the playing of the Anthem, and when reciting the Pledge they would hold their hand (or hat) over their heart. After 9/11, the custom of placing the hand over the heart during the playing of the national anthem became nearly universal.
Who wrote the Anacreontic song?
Key gave the poem to his brother-in-law Joseph H. Nicholson who saw that the words fit the popular melody " The Anacreontic Song ", by English composer John Stafford Smith. This was the official song of the Anacreontic Society, an 18th-century gentlemen's club of amateur musicians in London. Nicholson took the poem to a printer in Baltimore, who anonymously made the first known broadside printing on September 17; of these, two known copies survive.
Who sewed the Star Spangled Banner?
The Flag House in Baltimore, Maryland, is the 1793 home of Mary Pickersgill, the woman who sewed the Star-Spangled Banner. Eric Voboril, director of programs and collections at the Flag House, says, "Mary wasn't just a woman making a flag.
How long has the Star Spangled Banner been preserved?
Experts at the National Museum of American History recently completed an eight-year conservation treatment of the Star-Spangled Banner, which included removing a linen backing and cleaning the flag. The photo above shows a detail of the flag as it looks today.
How many stars are on the garrison flag?
Armistead soon hired a 29-year-old widow and professional flagmaker, Mary Young Pickersgill of Baltimore, Maryland, to make a garrison flag measuring 30 by 42 feet with 15 stars and 15 stripes (each star and stripe representing a state). A large flag, but one not unusual for the time.
When was the Star Spangled Banner moved to the National Museum of American History?
That changed after architects designed the new National Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, with space to allow the flag to hang. The Star-Spangled Banner remained in Flag Hall from 1964 until 1999, when it was moved to the conservation lab.
Where is the Star Spangled Banner Museum?
The Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, features a glass window made in the exact dimensions of the flag that flew over Fort McHenry nearly 200 years ago. (Courtesy of the Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum)
How long did it take to preserve the American flag?
To preserve this American icon, experts at the National Museum of American History recently completed an eight-year conservation treatment with funds from Polo Ralph Lauren, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the U.S. Congress.
When was the first photograph of the Star Spangled Banner made?
(Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, MD) This 1873 image is the first known photograph taken of the Star-Spangled Banner. It was made at the Boston Navy Yard on June 21, 1873.
Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
history might come as a shock. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was penned by Francis Scott Key, a 19th-century lawyer who dabbled in poetry. Inspired by the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, Keys was so moved at the American resilience he saw ...
When was the Star Spangled Banner made the national anthem?
The Committee voted in favor, sending the bill to a receptive House and Senate. On March 4, 1931 , President Herbert Hoover officially made “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States.
What is the national anthem of the United States?
As the national anthem of the United States, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is a ubiquitous part of American life. It plays before everything from military ceremonies to football games. But who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and why does it matter today?
What happened in 1814?
In 1814, the tide turned towards the other way. British troops not only invaded Washington D.C., but also set the White House on fire. With Baltimore serving as a major seaport, the Royal Navy set course for the city’s harbor in September. Wikimedia Commons An illustration of the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
What is the boozy anthem?
The boozy anthem was quite popular in the U.S. by then, and had even been used previously by defenders of John Adams for a song called “Adams and Liberty.”. Within days, The Baltimore Patriot reprinted Key’s poem, calling it a “beautiful and animating effusion” destined “long to outlive the impulse which produced it.”.
When did the song "It is ours" become the national anthem?
In its association with chivalrous deeds, it is ours.”. Wikimedia Commons The song officially became America’s national anthem in 1931.
Who wrote the song "To Anacreon in Heaven"?
Wikimedia Commons The song was set to the music of a popular British drinking song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society — a gentlemen’s social club in London — called “To Anacreon in Heaven.”.
Why did Francis Scott Key write the Star Spangled Banner?
Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” as a joyous poem after he was relieved that the United States had preserved against British attack. Since then it has evolved into the national anthem for the United States and is played at official events, schools, and sporting events.
Who was the lawyer on the Star Spangled Banner?
These cities were financial and political strongholds, and, without them, Britain could claim victory for the entire war. Francis Scott Key: Maryland lawyer and writer of the "The Star-Spangled Banner". On a merchant ship in the harbor was British Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner and Georgetown lawyer Francis Scott Key.
What was the name of the national anthem in 1929?
In 1929, “House Resolution 14” was presented to Congress to name “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem to the United States. There were many objections to this resolution. One objection was that the tune of the “Star-Spangled Banner” was taken from the song “To Anacreon to Heaven.”. This song was the theme for the Society of ...
What was the name of the song that accompanied the flag raisings?
After it was published, “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the many patriotic songs sung throughout the country. After 1889, it accompanied the flag raisings by the Navy. President Woodrow Wilson adopted the song as a de facto “national anthem” in 1916 but did not codify this ruling.
What song was the theme for the Society of Anacreon?
One objection was that the tune of the “Star-Spangled Banner” was taken from the song “To Anacreon to Heaven.”. This song was the theme for the Society of Anacreon, which was active between 1766-1791. The Society of Anacreon was a gentleman’s club that meet monthly to listen to music of questionable tastes and to socialize.
What was the name of the poem that Francis Scott Key wrote?
Francis Scott Key’s brother-in-law set the poem to music, and the combined poem and music was published under the name “ The Star-Spangled Banner.”. After it was published, “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the many patriotic songs sung throughout the country.
When was the National Anthem adopted?
It was officially adopted by law on March 3, 1931. Other songs that were possible contenders for the position as national anthem were “Hail, Columbia,” “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and “America the Beautiful.”. Sheet Music of "The Star-Spangled Banner". The flag itself was sewn by Mary Pickersgill.
What was the flag that inspired the War of 1812?
The Star-Spangled Banner. The U.S. national anthem and the flag that inspired it are legacies of the War of 1812. British forces gathered to attack Baltimore in September 1814. After a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry, they failed to penetrate Baltimore’s defenses and withdrew. Francis Scott Key, witnessing the bombardment ...
What does the Great Garrison Flag represent?
The Great Garrison Flag. The flag represented America’s pride and resilience in the War of 1812--an enduring symbol of the nation’s identity and ideals.
What are some interesting facts about the Star Spangled Banner?
10 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’. Fascinating facts about Francis Scott Key, the writing of what would become America’s national anthem, and the War of 1812 battle flag that inspired it all. On September 13th, 1814, lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key was negotiating the release of American prisoners aboard ...
Where did the song "The Star Spangled Banner" come from?
The tune comes from the old drinking song, “To Anacreon in Heav’n,” the official ditty of an 18th century London men’s social club called the Anacreontic Society.
How many copies of the Star Spangled Banner are there?
There are only about a dozen copies left of the original 1814 sheet music imprint of Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The original edition can be easily identified by the misprint “A Pariotic Song” in its subtitle.
What was the poem "Jefferson and Liberty" about?
The poem warned against mercantilism and foreign involvement, spearing Jefferson’s notorious pro-French sympathies. Jefferson’s camp countered with “ Jefferson and Liberty ,” a 15-verse defense or free speech and religion sung to an Irish jig.
Where was the flag sent after Pearl Harbor?
Roosevelt felt that the Japanese could possibly attack the National Mall, so from 1942 to 1944 the flag and many other treasures were sent to Shenandoah National Park near Luray, Virginia, for safekeeping.
Who made the connection between the poem and the Anacreon tune?
Key’s brother-in-law first made the connection between the poem’s words and the Anacreon tune a few days later, printing it with sheet music in The Baltimore Patriot on September 20th. 4. The original sheet music contains an infamous spelling mistake. There are only about a dozen copies left of the original 1814 sheet music imprint ...
Who was the poet who negotiated the release of prisoners aboard a British ship?
iStock/STILLFX. On September 13th, 1814, lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key was negotiating the release of American prisoners aboard a British ship when he became a prisoner, himself. Held through the night, he watched the relentless bombardment of Baltimore by land and sea, and finally, a resilient American flag flying above Fort McHenry ...
Overview
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. The lyrics come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by th…
Early history
On September 3, 1814, following the Burning of Washington and the Raid on Alexandria, Francis Scott Key and John Stuart Skinner set sail from Baltimore aboard the ship HMS Minden, a cartel ship flying a flag of truce on a mission approved by President James Madison. Their objective was to secure an exchange of prisoners, one of whom was William Beanes, the elderly and popul…
Modern history
The song is notoriously difficult for nonprofessionals to sing because of its wide range – a twelfth. Humorist Richard Armour referred to the song's difficulty in his book It All Started With Columbus:
In an attempt to take Baltimore, the British attacked Fort McHenry, which protected the harbor. Bombs were soon bursting in air, rockets were glaring, a…
Lyrics
Eighteen years after Key's death, and in indignation over the start of the American Civil War, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. added a fifth stanza to the song in 1861, which appeared in songbooks of the era. This version appeared in some newspapers, such as an issue of the Seattle Republican which was published in 1912.
References in film, television, literature
Several films have their titles taken from the song's lyrics. These include two films titled Dawn's Early Light (2000 and 2005); two made-for-TV features titled By Dawn's Early Light (1990 and 2000); two films titled So Proudly We Hail (1943 and 1990); a feature film (1977) and a short (2005) titled Twilight's Last Gleaming; and four films titled Home of the Brave (1949, 1986, 2004, and 2006). A 1936 short titled The Song of a Nation from Warner Bros. Pictures shows a version of the origin o…
Customs and federal law
When the U.S. national anthem was first recognized by law in 1931, there was no prescription as to behavior during its playing. On June 22, 1942, the law was revised indicating that those in uniform should salute during its playing, while others should simply stand at attention, men removing their hats. The same code also required that women should place their hands over their hearts whe…
Translations
As a result of immigration to the United States and the incorporation of non-English-speaking people into the country, the lyrics of the song have been translated into other languages. In 1861, it was translated into German. The Library of Congress also has record of a Spanish-language version from 1919. It has since been translated into Hebrew and Yiddish by Jewish immigrants, Latin American Spanish (with one version popularized during immigration reform protests in 2006),
Protests
The 1968 Olympics Black Power salute was a political demonstration conducted by African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos during their medal ceremony at the 1968 Summer Olympics in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City. After having won gold and bronze medals respectively in the 200-meter running event, they turned on the podium to face their flags, and to hear the American …
When and Where The National Anthem Was Written
Who Wrote The Star-Spangled Banner?
- Key seemed like an unlikely candidate to write a national anthem for his country — especially during wartime. He had previously referred to the war as “abominable” and a “lump of wickedness.” But once he witnessed the Battle of Baltimore, it quickly became a source of inspiration for him. The British bombardment of Fort McHenry began on a rainy eve...
How The Song Became The National Anthem of The United States
- While it took more than 100 years for “The Star-Spangled Banner” to become our national anthem, the song was well-received soon after its publication. Played during various events, including Independence Day celebrations and political campaigns, people were rather enamored with the tune. By the time of the Civil War, members from both sides of the conflict tried to claim the son…
Revisting The Legacy of Francis Scott Key
- Some people believe that an artist and their art can be separated. But others are disturbed that Francis Scott Key, the man who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was also a slaveholder. While he reportedly freed seven of his household slaves and wasn’t physically cruel, his authorship of a song about freedom is painfully ironic at best. On the other hand, Key biographer Marc Leepson …